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E. M. SIMMONS.

FIFTH WHEEL No. 338,562. Patented Mar. 23, 1886 Jim/629707:

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD M. SIMMONS, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONEHALF TO\VILLIAM J. RUSSELL, OF SAME PLACE.

FIFTH-WHEEL.

SBEGIPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 338,562, dated March23, 1886.

Application filed September 2, 1885. Serial No. 176,030.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD M. SIMMONS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan,have invented new and useful Improvements in Fifth-IVheels, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention has relation to an improved construction of fifth-wheelsfor vehicles; and it consists in the construction and combination ofparts, as hereinafter set forth.

In the annexed drawings, illustrating the invention, Figure 1 is aperspective View of my improved fifth-wheel. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan.Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section.

Referring to the drawings, the letter A designates an upperanchor-shaped plate, consisting of a longitudinal bar, a, carrying asmall are, I), at its rear end, and a larger are, c, at its forward end.The larger are 0 is provided at each end with a forward-projecting stop,(1, for the purpose hereinafter explained. The bar a is provided nearthe small arc b with a perforated boss, 0, for the passage of the kingbolt B, said boss serving as a pivot for a lower anchor-plate, O, thegeneral form of which is similar to that of the upper plate. Thelongitudinal bar f of the lower plate, 0, carries at its rear end asmall arc, g, and near this arc it has a perforation, h, for receivingthe tubular boss 6 of the upper plate, the parts being secured by a nut,k, on the king-bolt. At the forward end of the lower plate, attached toor formed on its longitudinal bar f, is a large arc, Z, that is providedcentrally on its forward edge with an upward and backward projectinglug, m, which serves as a guide for the arcs (No model.)

a and Z, and also as a stop when brought in contact with theforward-projecting stops d d on the ends of the upper arc.

The fifth-wheel is attached to the runninggear of a vehicle, as shown inFigs. 2 and 3, with the king-bolt in rear of the forward axle.

It is obvious that by the construction described and shown I am enabledto furnish a cheap, durable, safe, and efficient fifth-wheel, soarranged as to permit the vehicle-body being hung low, and obtaining thesame results in facility of turning the vehicle as if the front wheelswere arranged to pass under the carriagebody.

What I claim is-- 1. In a fifth-wheel, the combination of an upperanchor-shaped plate having at its front end an are provided withforwardprojecting end stops, a lower anchor-shaped plate provided at itsfront end with an are having a central guide and stop consisting of anupward and rearward projection or lug, and a king-bolt for connectingsaid plates, substantially as described.

7 2. In a fifth-wheel, the combination of the upper plate, A, having arear arc, b, a perforated boss, 6, and a forward arc, 0, provided withend stops, d d, the lower plate, 0, having a rear arc, g, and a forwardarc, Z, provided with a central guide-stop, m, the king-bolt B, and thenut k, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD M. SIMMONS.

Witnesses:

FRED C.'TEMPLE,

THOMAS B. WILsoN.

